"I wanted to tell you somethin, and I have been workin my mind so the words will tumble out in a straight line. You know how that can be, John." "I … - Edward P. Jones

But he was a free and clear man, and the law said so. Augustus never hurt me, never said bad to me. What Harvey done was wrong. But tellin you don’t put me on the nigger side. I’m still on the white man side, John. I’m still standin with the white. God help me if you believe somethin else about me.

Best hurry, he thought. Best get outa this weather. He wanted to die but he really didn't want to catch a cold to do it.

A few women had cried, remembering the way Henry smiled or how he would join them in singing or thinking that the death ofanyone, good or bad, master or not, cut down one more tree in the life forest that shielded them from their own death; but most said or did nothing.